U.S. patent number 5,224,799 [Application Number 07/878,619] was granted by the patent office on 1993-07-06 for permanently installed building foundation form.
Invention is credited to Alton F. Parker.
United States Patent |
5,224,799 |
Parker |
* July 6, 1993 |
Permanently installed building foundation form
Abstract
A permanently-installed form-drain (10) including hollow,
foraminous planks (12) and connectors (16,18) for joining two or
more of the planks in a continuously arranged concrete barrier. The
instant improvements include an adapter (20/21), which serves as a
straight connector, grooved plank (19) with interlocking stake
(13/14), integral connector-stake and adapter-stake device (16/14,
20/14) and a tri-functional, generally rigid bracket and
bracket-stake (22 and 22/22x) element, used to space and
restrain/constrain the planks and/or to hold (support)
reinforcement bars.
Inventors: |
Parker; Alton F. (Clifton Park,
NY) |
[*] Notice: |
The portion of the term of this patent
subsequent to June 9, 2009 has been disclaimed. |
Family
ID: |
25372421 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/878,619 |
Filed: |
May 5, 1992 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
592358 |
Oct 3, 1990 |
5120162 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/229; 285/64;
405/45; 52/169.5; 52/294; 52/426 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D
15/02 (20130101); E04B 2/8652 (20130101); E04B
1/0007 (20130101); E02D 31/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E02D
31/00 (20060101); E02D 31/02 (20060101); E04B
1/00 (20060101); E02B 011/00 (); E02D 015/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;405/36,43,44,45,229
;52/169.5,426,425,427,294,742 ;285/64 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1939091 |
|
Jan 1971 |
|
DE |
|
2152422 |
|
Jun 1972 |
|
DE |
|
116913 |
|
Sep 1980 |
|
JP |
|
397590 |
|
Jan 1974 |
|
SU |
|
1161642 |
|
Jun 1985 |
|
SU |
|
Primary Examiner: Corbin; David H.
Assistant Examiner: Olsen; Arlen L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Schmeiser, Morelle & Watts
Parent Case Text
This is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
592,358 filed on Oct. 3, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,162.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A hollow multi-elemental, permanently installed concrete
form-drain comprising in combination:
a plurality of hollow, essentially rectilinear and elongate planks,
said planks being foraminous on one side thereof, nonforaminous on
the other side, essentially continuous at a bottom thereof and
having interior symmetry about a horizontal central plane;
at least one preformed hollow, non-plank connecting element for
joining two or more said planks in an end-to-end configuration,
said connecting element possessing a cross-sectional symmetry and
means for fitting said element to an end of one of said preformed
hollow planks, connection of multiple planks with multiple
connecting elements resulting in a continuous form having an inner
peripheral structure and an outer peripheral structure of
containment of concrete between the structures, said connection
providing continuous drainage through and about the structures;
and
means for rigidly securing two or more said planks in parallel
spaced-apart relationship to form an integral concrete foundation
form so that the foraminous side of said planks face such that they
provide inside and outside foundation peripheral drainage
means.
2. The form-drain of claim 1, wherein said means for fitting
includes an adapter.
3. The form-drain of claim 2, wherein the adapter further comprises
flange means at an end thereof adapted to slide into a plank
end.
4. The form-drain of claim 3, wherein the adapter further comprises
a collar means transversely disposed peripherally and approximately
midway thereabout.
5. The form-drain of claim 4, wherein the collar means further
includes a stake.
6. The form-drain of claim 1, wherein the connecting element
includes an integral stake.
7. The form-drain of claim 1 further comprising an "L" shaped
stake, and planks and/or connecting elements having a continuous
longitudinal groove, at least on the top thereof, for accepting
thereinto a portion of the stake.
8. The form-drain of claim 7, further characterized by a ledge
means disposed between a head and tip of the stake.
9. A hollow multi-elemental, permanently installed concrete
form-drain comprising in combination:
a plurality of preformed hollow, essentially rectilinear and
elongate planks, said planks being foraminous on one side thereof,
nonforaminous on the other side, essentially continuous at a bottom
thereof and having interior symmetry about a horizontal central
plane; and
at least one preformed hollow, non-plank connecting element for
joining two or more planks in an end-to-end configuration, said
connecting element possessing a cross-sectional symmetry for
fitting said element to a plank end so that connection of multiple
planks with multiple connecting elements results in a continuous
form having an inner peripheral structure and an outer peripheral
structure for containment of concrete between the structure while,
concomitantly, said connection provides continuous drainage through
and about the structures; and
a bracket means having a castellated shape wherein said bracket
means includes lateral portions possessing a hollow rectilinear
shape to partially circumscribe and enclose a portion of a plank
and to hold two said planks in essentially spaced-apart, parallel
relationship on an earthen surface, a cross bar of said castellated
shape being disposed relative to said lateral portions at a desired
height above the surface to orient and support reinforcement bars
thereon.
10. The form drain of claim 9, wherein the bracket includes at
least one outside lateral portion extended to effect a stake.
11. Means for securing two planks of a concrete form in rigid,
spaced-apart relationship comprising a bracket with a castellated
shape the two lateral portions thereof each possessing a continuous
rectilinear geometric shape which partially circumscribes and
encloses a portion of a plank so as to hold a plank pair in
essentially spaced-apart, parallel relationship on the ground, a
cross bar of said castellated shape being disposed relative to said
lateral portions at a desired height above the surface to orient
and support reinforcement bars thereon.
12. The means for securing of claim 11, wherein the bracket further
includes at least one outside lateral portion extended to effect a
stake.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to structural footing forms and
footing drains, and in particular, to a permanent concrete
footing/foundation form having integral drain means and diverse
connector elements. The instant invention improves on the connector
elements of the genre.
2. Relevant Art Discussion
Forms comprising a plurality of planks, of varying lengths and
having therein a plurality of foramens, are joined in straight or
angular relationships to initially lay out the periphery of a
building foundation or footing. It is a primary purpose of the
forms in this invention to provide a containment for concrete which
is to be poured as the footing or foundation of a building.
Generally, two peripheral forms are used in spaced-apart, parallel
array and the concrete disposed therebetween. Such is the thrust of
my prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 592,358 filed on Oct. 3,
1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,162, hereinafter incorporated by
reference. To aid in the establishment of a structurally rigid
footing/foundation form having integral drainage means, I have
since improved the entire ensemble by providing adjunct mechanisms
for the discrete connecting elements and by providing alternate
spacer/constraining apparatus, the latter to be used with a full
form ensemble, i.e. an inner and an outer form arrayed as
aforesaid.
Prior to my initial introduction of the integral foundation
form-drain, some work had been done in the field to provide the
tradesman with a permanently-installed footing or foundation form.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,323, issued to Hreha in 1971 inculcates a
combination footing and drainage form in which the drainage means
is integral with the essentially planar form. Hreha teaches the
mitering of the forms so as to define and set out a completed,
continuous building form. Holding the forms in place is
accomplished by ordinary stakes which are literally driven through
the conduit means of the ensemble by means of holes therein. Hreha
teaches no particular technique which will accomplish the rapid
spacing of the opposing foundations forms. The presence of staking
holes further limits the Hreha teaching. In 1962, Smith was issued
U.S Pat. No. 3,017,722 for his teaching of a hollow stringer
element which could suffice as a partial foundation form and aid in
the footing drainage scheme. Like Hreha, whom he preceded, Smith
taught nothing novel in the ways for constraining the forms in
place and was silent, also, concerning means for providing
continuity of drainage via connector elements.
My initial contribution to this art clearly avoided the limitations
of Hreha and Smith, as well as many others who have attempted to
provide concrete footing/foundation forms having an integral
drainage means associated therewith so that they could be left in
place to be thereafter used as footing/foundation drainage
means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
I have improved the aforementioned original connectors and spacing
apparatus of my initial invention. To aid in the form setup, while
providing continuity of flow about the periphery of the prospective
foundation, several connectors are employed to join together a
series of hollow plank elements. The planks are foraminous on at
least one side which faces outward or away from the space reserved
for the pouring of concrete therein. I generally prefer to employ
foramens or perforations only at the non-concrete receiving side.
All other surfaces of my plank unit are continuous and generally
nonforaminous. Concomitantly, grooving is continuous wherever used,
but foramens placed only at a side.
The connectors that are to be used with the aforesaid planks are
cross-sectionally adapted for their connection with the planks.
Since brick or stonework generally resides on the concrete only,
and not on the top surface of the form-drain and connectors per se,
the only strength and rigidity required of the completely formed
ensemble (planks, connectors and stake means) is that necessary to
inhibit separation of an inner form or an outer form by translating
away from each other as the dense mass of concrete is poured
between them. Thus, the instant improvements are directed toward
the goal of further inhibiting such distortion or translation of
the inner/outer peripheral forms, while also assisting in the setup
and that rigidification of the form which precedes the concrete
pouring process. The instant improvements number four:
connector-plank end adaptation; a plank-stake interlock feature; a
compound stake-connector element; and a highly useful
tri-functional spacer/support/restrainer. The first of these is a
clear definition of the plank-engaging means borne by the
connectors of the instant invention. Because the planks may be cut
to any desired size, it is necessary that any joining means be
placed on the less mutable elements of the invention, the
connectors, whether straight or angled. Preferably, I use an
adaptive connector that obviates the need to provide the usual
angle connectors or planks with connection or coupling means. This
adapter (as I choose to term it) also acts as a straight connector
of the aforesaid original disclosure, thus replacing it with a
dual-purposed improvement. It is essentially a short piece of the
same hollow cross-sectional shape as the basic planks and angle
connectors. The adapter outer periphery, however, is smaller, so
that it will slip into an angle connector or a plank, making
therewith a close fitting. Additionally, about midway on this
adapter, there is provided a collar having peripheral (outer)
measurement close to that of the other pieces, planks and
connectors. The improvement also conceives of a modification of
each connector end, a second embodiment comprising a connector
having approximately the same external periphery as the planks and
a tongue extension of plank inner periphery size adapted to engage
the plank inner periphery in an arm/sleeve relationship. The (third
end) alternate embodiment of the aforesaid device is the provision
of each connector end with an extending lip or overhang about its
complete periphery so as to envelope the end of a plank, again in
an arm/sleeve or mortise/tenon relationship. The latter of these
embodiments will, of course, require a slightly oversized
connector. The reader may readily discern why the adapter is
favored.
The second of the aforementioned improvements consists in a stake,
ordinary in most ways with the singular exception being that the
top is folded over at right angles, twice, in order to give the
stake a front elevation cross-sectional appearance of an inverted
"L". Correspondingly, the top of the plank is continuously and
longitudinally grooved to accept therein the folded over, short leg
of the inverted "L"-shaped stake.
The third improvement is a compound stake-connector wherein the
stake means is either made integrally with the connector and
adapter elements or affixed after the molding of an element is
completed. Depending upon the actual molding process used to
produce the adapters/connectors, or subsequent stake fixation
means, it is the integrated aspect of the improvement that I
inculcate here.
Finally, perhaps the most useful improvement in my form-drain
concept is the application of a spacer/support/restrainer of a type
that could be used to obviate the aforementioned second and third
improvements which relate only to stake or restrainment devices.
This tri-functional device consists essentially in a
non-biodegradable, pest-resistant material shaped from an elongate,
essentially flat element and/or formed into the upper portion of a
castellated surface. Thus, the lateral "legs" of the castellated
surface provide a restraining (staking) facility (or emulation)
while the horizontal member provides a support, constraining and
spacing facility. I employ the support member to hold reinforcement
bars (re-bars) and the length of the horizontal member in
conjunction with the legs to provide spacing, as well as
restraint/constraint of the forms over which they fit. Further
reference to the drawings will readily clarify the nature of these
improvements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Of the Drawings:
FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of a partial footing form
emplacement using some of the instant invention improvements;
FIG. 2 is a right angle connector bearing on the periphery of each
end a connecting improvement called an adapter;
FIG. 3 is the FIG. 2 improvement used with an obtuse connector;
FIGS. 4a and 4b isometrically represents stake and plank
improvements;
FIGS. 5a and 5b are isometric illustrations of integral
stake/connectors;
FIG. 6 is an isometric illustration of the tri-functional
spacer/support/restrainer installed with opposed planks of the
invention; and
FIGS. 7 and 8 are frontal elevations of the FIG. 6 device, in
alternate forms at the transverse "bar" portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE IMPROVEMENTS
The instant invention comprises, essentially, four improvements to
an invention comprising an in situ and permanently set building
foundation form which includes integral drainage means. The
elements of the aforementioned original invention are composed of
non-biodegradable materials which possess inherent rigidity and
strength the equivalent of, or superior to, the wood planks that
are presently used for foundation or footing forms. By means of the
appended drawings, the original invention shall be set forth
succinctly and a more detailed disclosure of the instant
improvements made thereinafter.
Referring particularly to FIG. 1, a partial isometric illustration
details the salient elements of the original invention 10 which
comprise a series of elongate, hollow planks 12 which are joined
together to form the outer periphery and inner periphery of a
foundation form. The planks are foraminous, i.e. bear a plurality
of foramens 22, on one side thereof, that side being the one facing
away from the area lying between the inner and outer peripheral
forms. Connecting the hollow planks 12 so as to provide angular
definition to the peripheral form, while also providing continuity
(of water flow) through a series of joined planks 12 are a series
of corner connectors 16. The corner connectors are shown in this
instance as containing, in selected locations, drainage means D1
and D2. The D1 drains are taken from either the bottom or the side
of an angle connector 16 and vent the accumulated water to
appropriate sewage means. The drain denoted D2 may likewise be
taken from the bottom or side of an angle connector (or any form of
connector) and, because it drains the inner peripheral form, is
generally vented to a sump pump. The first notable distinction that
will be recognized as existing between the original invention
disclosure in U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,162 and the instant is the
improvement of providing plank and/or connectors with removable at
the ends thereof for joining to other elements of the invention. I
have devised what I term an adapter 20/21 which is used to join any
of the salient elements, planks or connectors, to each other,
irrespective of the length of either. Hereinafter, these unique
adapters will be disclosed in greater detail and also in
conjunction with the disclosure of special stakes 14 (not shown) of
the invention. Relative to the stake means of the invention 10,
originally I used a non-biodegradable stake (as are all elements of
the invention) and merely used it at either the inner or outer
sides of the planks 12. The sole purpose of the stake was to
constrain the planks from any translational movement that would
allow distortion of the form (consequently, the footing) as the
concrete was being poured. As shall be hereinafter disclosed, my
stake improvement of the instant invention allows stakes to be
placed with a single orientation (outside or inside the concrete
depository) as well as providing a means for adjusting the height
or level of the form framework.
FIG. 2 is an isometric illustration depicting a right angle
connector 16 having both ends adapted with extensions 21 of a
cross-sectional shape and outer periphery sized to fit snugly
within the inner (or sleeve portion) of a plank 12. Those of
ordinary skill will readily discern that the connector 16 may be
manufactured with the tongue like inner peripheral extensions 21 or
such may be added, as herein disclosed, by use of an adjunct
connector element, called an adapter 20/21. The adapter 20/21 shown
herein is more clearly depicted in FIG. 3, but the salient
characteristics thereof are readily discerned in FIG. 2, as well.
In FIG. 3, the adapter 20/21 is a short, hollow plank increment
having an outer periphery 21 sized to fit into a regular plank 12
or connector 16 interior. A collar 20 is provided about midway and
integrally formed with the smaller element 21. Reference to FIG. 3
discloses an obtuse connector 18 bearing an adapter 20/21 at each
end thereof, poised for insertion thereinto. Earlier, I mentioned
that the instant improvement (adapter 20/21) replaces the original
integral straight connector of my original invention. It may be
readily seen now that, by using the adapter, the dual function of
straight connector and end joining means for the other elements
12,16,18 is readily acquired. Further, ease of manufacture is
greatly enhanced and an original invention concept, that of making
connector ends larger so as to fit over the ends of the planks 12,
retains little manufacturing viability. By use of the presently
disclosed adapter 20/21, it now becomes possible to cut the ends of
both planks and connectors and still retain the capability of
readily joining these elements to other cut or uncut elements.
Additionally, the width of the collar 20, a design character
normally used to provide equal depth of spacing for an inserted
adapter 21, may be varied so as to further functionalize its
presence (see FIG. 5b).
As mentioned above, stake 14 of the instant invention comprises an
improvement over the originally disclosed non-biodegradable stakes.
Further, the improved stake 14 compels a modification of at least
one surface, ,top or bottom, of the plank or connector 12/16. In
FIGS. 4a and 4b, the stake 14 of the instant invention is shown in
isometric portrayal comprising a top extension 13 which is folded
into a right angle and then into another right angle 13' so as to
form a stake having the shape of an inverted "L". Impact I is made
on the stake at the location depicted by the arrow and the groove
modification 19 of the plank/connector 12/16 is shown in a position
receptive of the shorter leg 13' of the stake 14. It should be
readily understood by the reader that continuous groove 19 in plank
and/or connector 12/16 may be placed in both top and bottom
portions of these elements, thus retaining the original elemental
function of invertability and the characteristic of cross-sectional
symmetry about a central horizontal axis or plane. Such symmetry,
as originally conceived, allows complete interchangability of the
invention elements, irrespective of the posture in which one (plank
adapter or connector) is placed. An adjunct to the stake 14
mechanism is the optional addition of bracket 30, which may be
either formed integrally with the stake 14 or affixed subsequent to
stake production by means of adhesive (not shown) or screws 32. The
function of bracket 30 on a stake 14 is to provide a ledge which,
in combination with the stake upper or head portions 13/13' and
plank and/or connector 12/16 groove means 19 may be used to
securely hold the stake 14 to a plank 12 or a connector 16 so that
it may be restrained against translational movement and readily
adjusted in height.
Like FIGS. 4a and 4b, FIGS. 5a and 5b portray a stake 14
improvement comprising the integral formation of a stake 14 with a
connector 16 or an adapter 20/21. In FIG. 5a, the stake 14 is
depicted bonded at 15 to connector 16. It should be understood by
the reader that such bonding may be either illustrative of an
integral fabrication of stake 14 with the element 16, or one which
is later "welded" by the use of adhesive or other chemical binders.
Also depicted is the inner height h and width w of the connector
16, which dimensions are pointed out further in FIG. 5b. Relative
to FIG. 5b, adapter 20/21 is depicted in isometric showing the same
essential characteristics as FIG. 5a relative to stake 14, bond or
weld 15 and the integral formation of the stake 14 with the adapter
element 20/21. As previously mentioned, dimensions h and w relate
to the outer peripheral dimensions of adapter ends 21 and are
essentially equal to the inner peripheral dimensions of the plank
12. Also as previously mentioned, the collar 20 of the adapter is
wider than initially shown in order to accommodate the wider stake
14, integrally formed with or bonded thereto.
Turning now to FIGS. 6-8, I would draw the reader's attention to
what I term a tri-functional element which comprises the fourth
improvement to my original invention. In the original invention, I
used adjunct mechanisms such as spacing devices (constraints),
which comprised cord-like attachments to the planks 12 and, which
constrained the planks from separation or translation but a
modicum, while ordinary stakes were used as restraints and provided
the primary means for obviating such translation. Thus, the cords
or constraints served primarily as spacing elements and the stakes
as restraining elements therefor; and the planks, in conjunction
with the connectors, served to support themselves exclusive of any
other aids or elements. Furthermore, by "support", I referred
originally to support of the planks only and not of other
mechanisms, such as reinforcement bars (re-bars), which often have
to be inserted into the foundation forming scheme. Thus, three
functions--spacing, constraint/restraint and support of adjunct
mechanisms such as re-bars--when fulfilled by a single element
become an invention in itself which is widely adaptive to other
forms of art that may employ the basic concepts of the
aforementioned earlier artists Hreha, Smith and myself. FIG. 6
depicts such a tri-functional device 22 in isometric illustration,
displaying the device 22/22'/22x as it would appear postured with
two parallel disposed planks 12, as shown here in phantom. In
frontal elevation, this device has a castellated shape wherein the
lateral legs enclose a plank 12, the transverse bar 22' provides
both a separation gauge and constraint against lateral translation
of the planks 12 while also providing support for re-bars and the
like, and the lateral leg extensions 22x provide the pointed, soil
penetrating portions of the device, thus lending it a true
restraint (stake) character thereto. As the reader will readily
note, this singular embodiment literally discloses the instant
invention improvement with all of its functional attributes.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate diminutive versions of the FIG. 6 device,
lacking only the soil-penetrating extension 22x and, as seen in
FIG. 8, containing the dimpled portions 25 which allow re-bars R to
be set therein. All other characteristics bear the same numeric
nomenclature as that device of FIG. 6. Depending upon the materials
chosen to fabricate the tri-functional device, one can expect to
obtain full functionality. For example, if the device were to be
made of stainless steel or heavy gauge aluminum, it would provide
the non-biodegradability which is desired for the permanent
installation of the form-drain 10. Concomitantly, when configured
as shown in FIG. 6, with perhaps the re-bar support of FIG. 8, its
full functionality would be realized in that it would provide plank
12 spacing, constraint/restraint and support for rebar devices. It
may also be readily surmised, for example when considering a FIG. 7
type of installation, that the tri-functional device 22/22' may be
inverted so that the lateral portions thereof accept and securely
grip the planks 12 from below rather than from above. Again,
depending upon the strength of the materials chosen to fabricate
this element, the inverted FIG. 7 illustration would require little
or no staking. Re-bars R could still be installed on the device
sans dimpled grooves 25 simply by wiring the re-bars R along the
transverse portion 22'. If complete flexibility is desired in the
emplacement of the FIG. 7 element, as well as the dimpled groove 25
for re-bar emplacement, the dimpled groove may be effected by
giving it a sinusoidal shape (in cross section) so that the dimpled
grooves 25, as shown in FIG. 8, would appear as a sine wave,
curving both below and above the transverse portion 22'. Those of
ordinary skill shall undoubtedly conceive of many variations on the
basic concepts that I have herein presented.
The foregoing concepts and improvements to my original invention
have served to greatly enhance the installation of the basic
mechanisms. All are comprised of non-biodegradable materials so
that the form-drain 10 will provide an excellent form means for
initial concrete emplacement, while continuing to function for
decades as a footing/foundation drain. Installation costs will be
greatly minimized in that the labor-intensive tasks of foundation
installation, form removal and time-consuming drainage installation
will be virtually eliminated. Layout of my form-drain invention
requires only two basic tools, an impacting mechanism (sledge) and
a cutting implement (e.g., a circular saw). Spacing of the inner
and outer peripheries of the form, constrainment/restrainment and
emplacement of re-bars are all accomplished with, as a minimum, the
adapter 20/21 of FIG. 3 and the tri-purposed element 22/22' of
FIGS. 7 or 8. Other embodiments of these devices will serve to make
the task easier and more adaptive, as an installation situation
might warrant. Routineers in the building trades will find the
present invention and improvements thereto to be of inestimable
value, particularly in the building of tract homes, condominiums
and the like. Such is commended to their usage consistent with the
hereinafter appended claims.
* * * * *